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Maple Leafs camp: David Clarkson suspension opens door for prospects

David Clarkson began Tuesday in one of the more bizarre situations of his career.

His 10-game suspension for his actions in
Sunday’s brawl
in the Buffalo-Leafs game was made official Monday evening. He can practise and play with the Leafs for the remaining three games of the pre-season, but will sit out the first 10 games of the regular season. He’s eligible to return Oct. 25 in Columbus.

Toronto Maple Leafs Carter Ashton (37) and and Phil Kessel circle Buffalo Sabres John Scott at the start of a third period line brawl during NHL pre-season action at Air Canada Centre in Toronto September 22, 2013. (Andrew Francis Wallace / Toronto Star)

Sabres coach Ron Rolston was fined an undisclosed amount by the NHL on Tuesday for the brawl.

Clarkson was expected to speak to the media Tuesday morning, but the Leafs said he would be kept silent for another day, claiming “there is an order to follow” regarding the suspension process.

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It’s believed Clarkson is approaching NHL commissioner Gary Bettman through the NHLPA regarding an appeal. The Collective Bargaining Agreement says that in cases of a suspension of six games or more, if the league does not agree to an appeal, the case may be taken to an independant arbitrator.

But Leafs coach Randy Carlyle said he will likely play Clarkson in all three remaining pre-season games, including tonight’s tilt against Ottawa.

“Yes, and we feel it’s important he play in as many games as possible, and we have three left,” Carlyle said.

“(Clarkson) will definitely travel with team for the first two games, they’re on the road, and he will practice with our team … we’ll try and keep him as ready as possible.”

So, while Clarkson remains in his role during the pre-season, he is also set to be around the team while on suspension. That means the door is open over the final eight days of camp for someone on the bubble to fill in Clarkson’s spot while he is suspended.

The competition for that job remains wide open, and includes a solid list of prospects: Joe Colbourne, Troy Bodie, Carter Ashton, Jamie Devane and Trevor Smith.

Ashton is at the point in his career where he’d like to shed the “prospect” tag and land a full-time NHL job.

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“I’m trying to play my role …being physical as possible, that’s the way I’m approaching it,” said Ashton, a fixture with the Marlies, who has certainly stood out among the bubble players with his physical play, and his willingness to defend teammates in Sunday night’s brawl.

“I’m trying to be physical, take pucks to the net, get a big hit, and yes, fighting. You take it all day to day but you have to be ready for an opportunity like this.”

Carlyle has a difficult decision. Bodie and Devane have also impressed the past week in camp, while Colborne is expected to make the team — or at least seriously challenge for the fourth line centre job.

“We’ve got lots of bodies in camp, now this (Clarkson suspension) gives another guy an opportunity,” Carlyle said.

In the meantime, Phil Kessel skated with Mayson Raymond and Trevor Smith in the morning skate Tuesday, signaling that he may not play Tuesday night’s home game against Ottawa.

Kessel has been called to a 4:45 p.m. conference call with the league to review his stick swinging actions in Sunday’s brawl.

Clarkson skated in Kessel’s spot on the top line with Tyler Bozak and James Van Riemsdyk.

Carlyle said a decision on Kessel won’t be made until after the conference call with the league.

The incident has gone viral and is still resonating in the Leafs dressing room.

“You don’t expect one of the top 5 toughest guys, biggest guys in the NHL to do something like that,” Leafs winger Joffrey Lupul said of John Scott, who is 6-foot-8 and went after the much smaller Kessel.

“I’ve never seen that in all the years I’ve played ... a lot of guys in the league, if Scott drops the gloves and comes at them like that, he might be missing his front row teeth.”

NOTES:
David Bolland, who is nursing sore groin muscles, will not play against Ottawa on Tuesday night, but is expected to appear in one or both of the final two preseason games . . . Colton Orr is also sidelined (bone bruise on leg), but should see game action over those final two games.

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